250 or 400 mh bulbs

[mm16]

My new tank in 36 inches deep. We are going to have a reef tank, I have a fixture with 3. 250 watt mh, is that enough light to make it to the bottom or should I change them to 3. 400 watt mh.
Thanks

 

[ErinCahir]

You can't just swap out a 250W bulb for a 400W. Gotta stick with 250s.

 

[bjohanson1234]

+1 erin. MH lamps aren't like incandescent. You need to match the lamp size to the ballast.

 

[mm16]

I understand that,( I'm an electrician so i know how to change all that). I was going to get 3 new 400 watt transformers. But do you think it should be 400?
thanks

 

[salt_for_brains]

If it was me I would run 400w on that depth so I didn't have to worry about any light demanding coral or invert I had lower in the tank or on the sand. At the very least I would make the center light 400w and run 250w on each side. Your light mounted would be in the 40"+ range depending on the depth of your sandbed whether you mount to the canopy or pendants. As an electrician you know that would create more heat and use more power so there are trade offs.

 

[kbuser92]

+1 Nick. Thats what I would do.

 

[bjohanson1234]

Also, price everything out first. It might be less expensive to purchase a new fixture then retrofit an old one.